David Duarte: Caramelpalooza Candymakers

By Lauren Saria Tue., Feb. 28 2012 at 7:00 AM

Categories: Caramelpalooza

Lauren Saria

From now through Caramelpalooza -- March 2 at Smeeks candy shop -- Chow Bella will introduce you to the 18 chefs participating in the third annual caramel tasting. Today, meet David Duarte of the Hyatt Regency Phoenix.

Duarte has been with the Hyatt for 3 ½ years where he quickly moved from server to cook to his current position as Pastry Supervisor. He graduated from Scottsdale Culinary Institute in 2008 with a degree ub Patisseries and Baking and now oversees the creation of all desserts in the hotel.

Three things I would bring on a desert island: my iPod, a utility tool or knife, and a water purifier.

My guilty pleasure TV show is The Big Bang Theory. And my favorite character is Sheldon!

I prefer cats to dogs because they are independent.

The best part of my job is getting to work with tasty food and making people smile.

If I wasn't a chef I'd like to be a chemist because I was a chemistry major in college, I've always liked food and baking is like the perfect mix of the two.

Find David and 17 other chefs at Caramelpalooza, Friday, March 2, from 7 til the caramel runs out, Smeeks candy store, northwest corner of Central and Camelback.

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